Trump trial: Former president claims innocence as DA accuses him of 'criminal conspiracy'.

On Monday, defense attorneys contended that former President Trump is "innocent" and that he "had no involvement" in the alleged hush money payments that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg claims he orchestrated.

On Monday, the former president was put on trial for criminal charges in a historic and unprecedented proceeding.

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney, has accused Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. These charges stem from the alleged hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has accused the trial of being a "political persecution." He maintains his innocence and has vowed to "tell the truth" if he takes the stand.

On Monday, Todd Blanche, Trump's defense attorney, stated that no illegal actions were taken and that the president was safeguarding himself from unfounded accusations.

"Blanche stated that Trump's actions to safeguard his family, reputation, and brand are not illegal."

On Monday, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo presented opening statements for Bragg, stating that the case against Trump involves a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up. Colangelo argued that in June 2015, months after Trump announced his presidential candidacy, he invited David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc. (AMI), to Trump Tower for a meeting. Michael Cohen, Trump's then-attorney and "fixer," was also present. AMI owned the National Inquirer.

According to Colangelo, a conspiracy was formed by the three men to impact the election outcome.

Cohen allegedly paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about their alleged sexual encounter with Trump, and Colangelo claimed that Trump reimbursed Cohen through monthly checks from his businesses, disguising the payments as legal fees.

Pecker, Cohen, and Trump allegedly conspired to influence the 2016 presidential election, with Pecker gathering harmful information and preventing it from being made public, while Colangelo published flattering stories about Trump and negative stories about opponents, according to Colangelo's allegations.

According to Colangelo, the men engaged in a practice known as "catch & kill," where they purchased damaging information, had the seller sign a non-disclosure agreement, and then prevented the information from being made public.

The former Trump Tower doorman's untrue story was blocked three times, with a payment of $30,000 each time, according to Colangelo.

Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, received the next payment from AMI, which she claimed was for a romantic and sexual relationship with Trump. Colangelo alleged that Cohen asked AMI to purchase the story, and McDougal stated that AMI paid her $150,000 for "unlimited life rights" to her story.

Stormy Daniels received a payment of $130,000 from Colangelo, as alleged.

Trump doubled the price of the payment to Cohen when it was time to pay him back, according to Colangelo. This, he claimed, highlights the significance of concealing the payments and his allegations of an overall election conspiracy.

In 2017, Colangelo claimed that Cohen paid him $35,000 per month, but he accused Cohen of sending a "fraudulent" invoice for his legal services.

The "Access Hollywood" tape was brought up by Colangelo during the 2016 election.

"Jurors were instructed by Colangelo to consider the evidence in this case, which involves an illegal conspiracy to undermine a presidential election and the steps Trump took to conceal election fraud. They were advised to use common sense, focus on facts, focus on evidence, and listen to testimony."

After all evidence is in, we will speak to you again and explain that the evidence points to only one conclusion: Donald Trump is guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, delivered the former president's opening statement after pleading not guilty to all counts.

"Blanche stated that President Trump is innocent, asserting that he had a thriving business before becoming president. Following his election in 2016, he erected a barrier between himself and his company."

Cohen, who sent an invoice for $35,000 for legal work, was accused by Blanche of continuing to help record personal expenses, along with some of Trump's other employees.

Blanche stated that the invoice was processed and the checks were signed, and she pointed out that Trump was the only signatory on his personal account.

Blanche contended that the 34 charges "are simply 34 documents," referring to the invoices, checks, and ledger entries sent by Cohen to Trump Tower.

"Blanche stated that none of the actions were criminal. People speculate that Trump is attempting to conceal payments; however, the president actually paid Cohen $420,000, not $130,000 as rumored."

He posed the question: "Could a thrifty entrepreneur pay off a $130,000 debt with $420,000?"

Blanche said that the $35,000 "was not a payback."

"Blanche stated that Cohen was Trump's personal attorney, as evidenced by his signature block labeled "personal attorney to President Trump" at the time."

"Blanche stated that the ledger account was not complicated, and Trump had no involvement in the invoice, check generation, or ledger entry."

"Blanche argued that Trump had no involvement in the 34 pieces of paper except for signing the checks, and that he was not responsible for their outcome."

Cohen responded by stating, "I have a spoiler alert — there is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy. They put something sinister on it." Blanche countered by asserting that Cohen's payment to Daniels was not illegal and that entering into a non-disclosure agreement was also legal, as companies frequently do so.

"Blanche stated that there was no illegality in Daniels' actions, as she believed he was attempting to embarrass Trump through various allegations that could harm both him and his family."

"Blanche stated that Trump's actions to safeguard his family, reputation, and brand are not illegal."

Blanche stated that Cohen served as Trump's personal attorney and later sought a position in the Trump administration after Trump's election.

"Blanche stated that he didn't receive anything. Despite being loyal to Trump for many years and defending him, he was also a criminal. He cheated on his taxes, lied to banks, lied about side businesses, and in 2018, he was caught."

In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, false statements to Congress, and tax evasion. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

"Blanche stated that Cohen, who was caught and disbarred, made a decision to blame President Trump for all of his problems, adding that he is a "convicted felon" and a "convicted perjurer.""

"Blanche stated that Cohen is still fixated on President Trump."

Blanche stated that Cohen frequently uses social media to express his anger towards Trump and expresses his wish for the former president to be imprisoned.

"Blanche said that Cohen's mental excitement about the trial cannot be trusted."

Blanche once again highlighted Cohen's admission of guilt for perjury.

Blanche stated that it is not advisable to base a significant decision regarding President Trump on the advice of Michael Cohen.

Blanche pointed out that Stormy Daniels had denied having an improper relationship with Trump in writing.

"Since her name became associated with Trump, Blanche has made "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in the weeks leading up to 2016, she said."

Daniels' legal disputes with Trump have been consistently ruled in favor of Trump by courts, as Blanche testified to the jury.

Blanche stated that Daniels lacks knowledge regarding the accusations, the content of Cohen's invoice, and the checks.

"Her testimony, though scandalous, is irrelevant," Blanche stated.

"Blanche stated that President Trump was not accused of any conspiracy and that there was nothing illegal about the events that transpired. She added that such occurrences are commonplace."

Blanche contended that a scheme must be something that has no significance.

"Listen to the motivation to sell magazines if it aligns with 'catch & kill.' Listen to the evidence, including Cohen's testimony, to determine its authenticity. Listen to the individuals who still work at Trump Tower to see if there is any connection to AMI and 'catch & kill.'"

He added: "You will not reach the conclusion."